★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool details checked August 23, 2026
Tool Comparison
AJ Bell vs Stake
Pick AJ Bell if
AJ Bell
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile
- You care about advanced order types, something Stake doesn't offer
Pick Stake if
Stake
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile
Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.
See alternativesOutbound links may include affiliate or sponsor codes.
Our take
The bottom line
AJ Bell and Stake cover a lot of the same ground (4 shared categories, including brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. On paper they're closely matched, so let pricing, platform fit, and the details below break the tie.
What readers say
AJ Bell
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Stake
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Key differences at a glance
- Asset coverage
- AJ BellAdds bonds and mutual funds
See for yourself
How they stack up
The side-by-side table: pricing, platforms, data, and coverage at a glance.ShowHide
How they stack up
The side-by-side table: pricing, platforms, data, and coverage at a glance.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pricing & plans | ||
Starting price | Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction | Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction |
Free tier | No | No |
Free trial | — | — |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
API access | No | No |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | — | — |
Categories covered | 5 | 4 |
Regions | Europe, North America | APAC, North America |
| Try it | Visit AJ Bell | Visit Stake |
Where each one shines
What AJ Bell and Stake each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What AJ Bell and Stake each do best.What AJ Bell does best
- Open Dealing, Stocks and Shares ISA, Lifetime ISA, Junior ISA, SIPP, Junior SIPP, trust, or eligible company accounts.
- Choose from more than 4,000 funds plus UK and international shares, ETFs, investment trusts, gilts, and bonds.
- Pay wrapper-specific account charges, with caps for listed assets and tiered charges for funds.
- Set up free regular investments from £25 a month, limit orders, stop losses, watchlists, portfolio monitoring, and research.
- Earn variable interest on cleared GBP cash, with rates that differ by account type.
What Stake does best
- Stake AUS CHESS-sponsored stocks and ETFs with a customer HIN.
- Stake Wall St U.S. stocks and ETFs through DriveWealth custody.
- A$3 or US$3 brokerage up to 30,000, then 0.01%.
- Eligible U.S. fractional orders from US$10; ASX stays whole-share only.
- Individual, company, trust and existing SMSF trading accounts.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for AJ Bell and Stake, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for AJ Bell and Stake, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsBondsMutual Funds | StocksETFs |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Regions | EuropeNorth America | APACNorth America |
Coverage details | Identifiers: Ticker and ISIN | Countries: AUIdentifiers: Ticker |
| Access & integrations | ||
Export formats | CSVPDF | CSVPDFExcel |
| Plans & trust | ||
Vendor & support | AJ Bell Securities LimitedCountry: United KingdomSupport: Phone and Email | Stakeshop Pty LtdCountry: AustraliaSupport: Chat and Email |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
What you'll actually pay
Plans, billing, trials, and per-month pricing for both tools.ShowHide
What you'll actually pay
Plans, billing, trials, and per-month pricing for both tools.| Tier | ||
|---|---|---|
| Entry paid plan | — | AUD 14/mo“Stake Black AUS or Wall St Monthly” |
| Tier 2 | — | AUD 144/yr“Stake Black AUS or Wall St Annual” |
| Tier 3 | — | AUD 20/mo“Stake Black Both Markets Monthly” |
| Top plan | — | AUD 204/yr“Stake Black Both Markets Annual” |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between AJ Bell and Stake?
AJ Bell leans toward brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist, while Stake puts more weight on brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist. They overlap in 4 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do AJ Bell and Stake cost?
Neither has a free plan; you'll need a paid subscription for the full feature set of either. Check each tool's current plan details before buying.
Should I choose AJ Bell or Stake?
It depends on what you're after. Pick AJ Bell if advanced order types matter to you; go with Stake if you prefer its overall approach. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do AJ Bell and Stake cover?
Both cover stocks and ETFs. AJ Bell also handles bonds and mutual funds.
Can I export data from AJ Bell and Stake?
Yes, both export to spreadsheets (CSV), which is handy if you like running your own numbers.
Can I track my portfolio with AJ Bell or Stake?
Yes, both do portfolio tracking: holdings, performance, and allocation in one place.
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Curation & Accuracy
This directory blends AI‑assisted discovery with human curation. Entries are reviewed, edited, and organized with the goal of expanding coverage and sharpening quality over time. Your feedback helps steer improvements (because no single human can capture everything all at once).
Details change. Pricing, features, and availability may be incomplete or out of date. Treat listings as a starting point and verify on the provider’s site before making decisions. If you spot an error or a gap, send a quick note and I’ll adjust.